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Biomedical subjects

M L Efthymiou

Publications and source records attributed to M L Efthymiou.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1994

Acute zolpidem poisoning--analysis of 344 cases.

Zolpidem is a new short acting hypnotic agent, first launched in France in 1988. Three hundred forty-four cases of intentional acute overdoses are reviewed retrospectively. Patients were predominantly female (70%) in their third or fourth decade. Ingested doses of zolpidem ranged between 10 and 1400 mg (one pack or less in 80%). Half of the patients ingested other substances (psychotropic drugs and alcohol) concomitantly. Signs of intoxication were observed in two thirds of the population but could be attributed to zolpidem in only 105 cases: drowsiness (N = 89) occurred at doses of 140 to 440 mg; coma (N = 4) or respiratory failure (N = 1). Other symptoms were rare (excepted vomiting, N = 7). Of the rare electrocardiographic or biological abnormalities, none appeared to be directly related to zolpidem. Therapy for intoxication was usually limited to supportive measures and/or gastric lavage. Symptoms of intoxication rapidly remitted in 91% of cases. Three percent of patients with multiple drug ingestion recovered despite severe complications during intensive care. Fatalities were reported for 6% but could not be directly linked to zolpidem. Previous published reports are confirmed: zolpidem acute overdose is generally benign and requires no specific therapeutic measures.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Paraquat poisoning by skin absorption: report of two cases.

Two cases of paraquat poisoning resulting from skin absorption are reported. One patient died from respiratory failure 26 d after deliberate application of the herbicide onto his whole body as a treatment for scabies. The other patient developed extensive dermatitis (probably a complication of pre-existing psoriasis). Only a moderate and transitory impairment of this latter patient's renal and respiratory functions were observed after repeated exposure of his damaged skin to a dilute paraquat spray.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[Acute accidental poisoning with hospital disinfectant. 45 cases of which 13 with fatal outcome].

Airsane HP 800 is a disinfectant widely used in hospitals as a powder to be diluted in water. It mainly contains a mixture of quaternary ammonium compounds. Forty five cases of acute accidental poisoning with this product have been reported to the Paris Poison Centre. All the victims were mentally disturbed patients: 2 were young adults hospitalized in psychiatric units and the other 43 were old people hospitalized for senile dementia. All ingested the solid preparation which was left in their room by hospital workers who did not know it was dangerous. Corrosive burns of the mouth, pharynx, oesophagus and sometimes of the respiratory tract were produced in most patients. Thirteen of them died. All were old persons. Ten had inhalation pneumonitis and died of acute respiratory distress one hour to twelve days after taking the powder. Progressive deterioration was responsible for the death of the other three between the 19th and 40th days. These severe accidental poisonings could easily be prevented by a better information of hospital workers, and by storing the disinfectant and preparing the solution beyond the reach of patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

[Prolonged hypocoagulability following the ingestion of anticoagulant raticides].

Voluntary ingestion of concentrated anticoagulant rodenticides leads to prolonged hypocoagulability sometimes accompanied by haemorrhage. The authors report 11 cases referred to the Paris Anti-Poisons Centre. The products implicated were chlorophacinone, bromadiolone, and warfarin. The time interval before medical intervention ranged from 90 minutes to 3 weeks. The absence of early clinical signs probably explains the number of late admissions. Haemorrhage of variable severity was observed in 8 cases. The prothrombin time varied with the administered dose of Vitamin K and/or coagulation factors. Three patients were lost to follow-up at days 9, 24 and 68. The other patients were treated for several weeks (27 to 82 days). Massive overdose with these rodenticides justifies stomach washout when the patients are seen early, daily check-ups of coagulability and treatment with Vitamin K at a dosage adapted to the biochemical abnormalities. Severe haemorrhage requires transfusion and the administration of factors of coagulation. The duration of the abnormalities is unpredictable; the prothrombin time should therefore be checked 48 hours after stopping Vitamin K therapy to detect any recurrence.

4-Hydroxycoumarins↗
PubMed1985

[Acute poisoning by orphenadrine].

From January 1974 to June 1983, the Paris Poison Control Centre collected 84 cases of overdosage with orphenadrine alone or in combination. Prior papers emphasized fatalities related to orphenadrine poisoning. This retrospective study suggests an underestimated incidence of anticholinergic drugs abuse in our country. The clinical picture of orphenadrine poisoning associates drowsiness, agitation, confusion, delirium and seizures. Anticholinergic symptoms are often noted: mydriasis, sinus tachycardia, dryness of the mouth and urinary retention. No severe cardiac disturbance was found in these patients.

Accidents, Home↗
PubMed1983

[Cancers from tobacco smoke].

The proximity of smokers exposes non-smokers to the inhalation of tobacco smoke. The existence of this absorption has been established by assays of blood nicotine concentrations or urinary thiocyanate concentrations, in volunteers: proximity with an individual who smokers approximately ten cigarettes is equivalent to smoking one cigarette. Consequences of this passive smoking are not negligible. Two studies, one Japanese and one Greek, have shown that the risk of lung cancer in wives of smokers is twice that in non-smoking women married to non-smokers, even though various American studies seem more reassuring. Another risk of cancer exists in the offspring of mothers who smoked during their pregnancy, with a rate of 14.9 x 10(5) if the mother smoked, versus 11. 4 x 10(5) if she didn't. Experimental rates of cancer in hamster fetuses confirm this risk.

Absorption↗